Thieves used welding equipment to break into a Southport bank and steal money from a cash machine.

The gang escaped with cash after targeting Birkdale Santander Bank during the early hours of this morning.

It is thought that the thieves used the welding equipment to break into the cash machine from inside the bank before driving away in a dark coloured Nissan Almera.

Police were called to the Liverpool Road bank after receiving reports at around 3.30 am that four men had broken into the rear of the building.

The front of the ATM was left strewn across the pavement and the entrance door to the bank had also been damaged in the raid.

In February 2012 the bank was a target in a similar attack when thieves also broke into the ATM in the early hours.

A resident who wished to remain anonymous said: “At half three this morning I heard a very loud bang. I was already awake as I had made myself a drink and I was trying to get back to sleep and I thought what the hell was that.

“I thought it might have been the bank because what else is there for them to break into here – it is the second time they have done this bank, they must like it.”

The damaged cash machine

Margaret Camp, who has owned The Brides Room of Birkdale next door to Santander for the past 14 years said when she first arrived she thought it might have been her shop.

Penny Bennett owner of Sitting Pretty added: “It has happened so many times in the last few months they must have weak security which must be why these people keeping doing it.”

The scene was cordoned off for crime scene investigators to gather evidence and CCTV is being examined from the area.

Detective Inspector Jon Smith said: "We are determined to track down those responsible for this robbery.

"Community intelligence is vital in this type of enquiry and I would urge anyone with any information, no matter how small, to get in touch."

Police are appealing to anyone who might have seen anything or might know anything more about the incident to call CID on 0151 777 3055 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 .